On May 16, 2013, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Norton Manor Camp near Taunton, Somerset to “…present Operational Medals to 40 Commando…” according to the British royal court.
Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia participated in the presentation of the new book entitled, A King’s Heritage: The Memoirs, by His Majesty the late King Peter II of Yugoslavia. The event was held at the royal palace in Belgrade.
For more information about today’s presentation as well as to view personal photos please click here.
Photo courtesy of Zimbio
On May 17, 2013, His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias arrived at the Base Aérea de Torrejón just outside of Madrid to meet with various specialized medical units of the Spanish Air Force.
Basically, in my little ‘ole opinion, he just wanted to get out of the house, put on his military uniform, and hang out with really cool people who have an incredibly stressful job.
Click here to view pretty pictures of Prince Felipe. 
Photo courtesy of Casa Real
On May 17, 2013, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco arrived in Chabeuil, France for a brief visit. According to the Palais Princier, the sovereign prince, “…visited the old Hôtel des Princes and inaugurated the Place ‘Marie-Pelline Grimaldi of Monaco: Maid of Chabeuil’.”
From there Prince Albert II travelled to Montélimar where he was warmly welcomed to the town by the Deputy Mayor of Montélimar, Mr. Franck Reynier, as well as by local government officials and dignitaries. After pleasant lunch held in his honor Prince Albert II visited Château des Adhémar, toured the “…town’s market square and the Sainte-Croix…” and much more.
Click here to view photos from Montélimar’s official FB page.
On the morning of May 17, 2013, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium arrived in Mechelen to inaugurate Technopolis’s newest expanded area known as, Xplora and Inspirience.
According to the official website for Technopolis and RTL:
“Technopolisis the Flemish Science Centre for science and technology. The mission of Technopolisis to bring science and technology closer to people. Technopolis wants to go further than increasing public awareness or insight into science and technology. It wants to engage people in science and technology. That’s why the motto of Technopolisis ‘I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.’
Technopolis operates by the principle of the Trojan horse. Science, as science, is not always attractive to people; they sometimes have an aversion to it because they think it is too difficult. In response to this attitude, Technopolis often presents science in an attractive package or associated with an attractive element, ranging from an exciting story that stimulates youngsters to carry out experiments in a science vehicle, to more well-known ways of presenting the material, such as a calendar full of interesting scientific facts and tests.
New at Technopolis is the ‘Xplora’ area is designed for children aged 8 to 14 years, they will have to use their imagination. The ‘Inspirience’ area is designed for young people aged 14 to 18 years to test their creativity.”
During today’s inauguration, the royal couple played games, met with staff and generally had a fantastic time. Yay!
For more information about Technopolis please visit their official website here.
On May 17, 2013, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Cornwall to begin their one-day visit to the area.
The day began with a visit to St. Ives where they visited the RNLI Lifeboat Station. Whilst there Her Majesty unveiled a new plaque and met with staff. From there Her Majesty and the duke arrived at the Tate Gallery where they met with employees and local dignitaries.
An hour later it off to St. Michael’s Mount where Her Majesty and the duke “…visited the castle on the island, had lunch with the St. Aubyn family, visited the local chapel…” and much more.
For more information about today’s visit to Cornwall as well as to watch videos please click here (VIDEOS), here, and here (VIDEOS).
Gee, this is so sad [tears]. It seems that His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain has decided to dump his $27 million beloved yacht, Fortuna, according the Spanish royal court.
AFP notes that the yacht was:
“…donated in 2000 by a business group but left the king open to criticism during hard times in Spain. The luxury yacht is owned by the state and managed by the National Heritage for the use of the 75-year-old king and his family.
‘The king has taken the decision to ask the National Heritage to proceed with the release of the asset,’ a spokesman for the institution said late Thursday.
The National Heritage board must now approve the yacht’s transfer to the government, which could decide to keep it or sell it.”
Adiós Fortuna.
Per the Swedish royal court:
“Mr. Christopher O’Neill is and will remain a U.S. citizen, and he intends to continue its business as before after he has married HRH Princess Madeleine. The royal house policy [is that one must be] a Swedish citizen, and not hold a position of responsibility in business.
This means that Mr. Christopher O’Neill – according to those principles – can not bear the title of HRH Prince of Sweden and Duke of Gastrikland and Hälsingland.
With reference to these demands, Mr. Christopher O’Neill respectfully requested to remain a private citizen and not bestowed royal dignity [hence title].
Svante Lindqvist
Marshal of the Realm”
In other news, the combined monogram of the couple has been finally released today. The joint MC was designed by heraldic artist, Mr. Vladmir Sagerlund, according to the Swedish royal court.
Photos courtesy of Kungahuset/M.Rundquist/V.Sagerlund
On May 14, 2013, Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte of Denmark, as patron, hosted a lovely reception at Christian VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg, in Copenhagen for Dressurens Venner.
The purpose of the event, according to the Danish royal court, was to “…promote the sport of Dressage and to highlight the [great] work of the association.” If you are interested in learning more about Dressurens Venner please visit their official website here.
On May 16, 2013, His Royal Highness Prince Joachim of Denmark was at the Aarhus Rådhus to “…attend the Dansk Industri og Håndværks Medaljefond in Østjylland.” Sounds like fun.
And, finally, yesterday afternoon, Her Royal Highness Princess Marie of Denmark arrived at the Kattegatcentrets/Havets Hus in Grenå to attend the inauguration of the center’s “… interactive experience zone…” entitled, Havet in Action. During yesterday’s opening the beautiful princess met with staff, played with the various cool interactive games, and more.
Click here to watch a video news report from TV2.
Click here to view more photos.
Photos courtesy of Kongehuset and Kattegatcentrets/Havets Hus
Recently, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia, as patron, hosted a reception in Athens, Greece, in “…aid of children with special needs.” The event was organized by Lifeline Hellas Humanitarian Organization.
Please click here to learn about the event as well as to view private photos.
And, finally, this evening at the White Palace in Belgrade the crown princess accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia hosted a lovely reception for “…lecturers and participants of the Fourth ‘Serbian Diaspora Medical Conference 2013’…”
Click here to view photos and to learn more about tonight’s reception.
